David Gates retires from The Butchers Shop

The Butchers Shop in Church Hill Milford on Sea has been an award winning butchers run by David Gates for the past 36 years and he is now taking a well-earned retirement. 

It may be the end of an era, but thankfully it is not the end for the village butchers. The new owner will be Keith Potter, who is a very experienced master butcher and he has owned other butchers businesses in the past. Keith intends to open and to continue to trade as a traditional butcher immediately on the changeover on Monday 25th October 2021.

David's told us a little about his history:

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"My family moved to Milford on Sea in 1953, just after my birth. I attended Milford on Sea Primary School and also Ashley Secondary Modern School.

My first job was as a butcher’s boy working for Mr Cooke in what was the other butchers' shop in the Village. 

My first full time role in the trade was working in Willis’ (Oakeshott's) Food store in Lymington. My training was given by the then Butchery Manager Mr Frank Taylor, who later went on to buy Pascoe's Butchers Shop (my shop). They ran the shop for quite a few years before selling to Dave Calvert, the Butcher from whom I bought the shop, I moved in on 1st April 1985. Chris Pidgley, my assistant started with me 2nd week in July 1985 and has been with me ever since."

When 'The Butchers Shop' is described as 'award winning', it is with very good cause as you will see below.

David's first award was in a sausage competition was in 1989, he then went on to gather all of these accolades:

• New Forest Supreme Champion 1989
• Champion of Champions Finalist 1990
• Hampshire Supreme Champion 1990
• Champion of Champions finalist 1991
• Surrey Open Champion 1992
• Portsmouth & District open Supreme Champion 1995
• Hampshire Champion 1996
• Champion of Champions Finalist 1996
• Champion of Champions finalist 1997
• National Sausage Winners Champion 1998
• Hampshire Supreme Champion 2005
• Home-Cured Bacon Champion 2017
• Creative Display Southern region runner up 1991
• Creative Display Southern region Winner 1992
• Creative Display National Finalist 1993
• He also has 100+ gold awards from various Regional and National Competitions.

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David recalls that he also once featured in a ‘Sun Spot’ in The Sun newspaper with his Pork & Heineken Sausage - To reach the parts that other sausages could not reach!

David continued: "I have always tried to obtain and sell the best meat available from as local a source as possible.

We have provided a hog roast service for many local parties and weddings, also Paella occasionally. Hog Roast on the Green was a regular feature of the Milford Carnival, and Music Festivals, the first event we provided food for was the V.E. Day event.

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Whilst we were cooking on the Green, my family always took part in the procession on The Butchers Shop Float.

I would of course like to take this opportunity to thank all the good people of Milford on Sea for their support over the years, I have enjoyed being involved in Village life and my family and I are grateful for the opportunities we have been given, we will still be living here and look forward to continued involvement.

I hope that as many of you as can will give Keith the same support as you have given me. The village needs a good butcher, and in Keith I believe we have one. I would like to wish him and his team the greatest success."

I am sure many of us would like to thank David for his loyal service to the village, as well as his delicious meats!

Local butchers have slowly disappeared from village life and we have been lucky to have had Dave and are delighted that the tradition is to continue with the new owner, Keith.

We wish david many happy years in whatever he choses to do next.

Sunday Lunch & more from The Pickled Weasel

The Pickled Weasel is back and their tasty Sunday Roast Lunch Takeaways are starting again from Sunday 31st October at £11.50 with an optional dessert for £3.50.  

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To order, simply call 01590 641155 and arrange your collection time.

The popular and great value Mid-Week Hot Lunch Special is currently Macaroni Cheese or Slow Cooked Lamb with a Winter Mash, the meal includes a complimentary Tea or single shot Coffee for just £5.

To start your morning you can also buy any Large Coffee and tuck into a complimentary Freshly Baked Croissant (until 11am every day).

What's not to like?!

Pickled Weasel

54 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD

01590 641155

www.facebook.com/PickledWeasel

Simon strives for the Commonwealth Games

Local Milford on Sea resident and table tennis player, Simon Heaps recently featured on ITV Meridian News as he chases his dream to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

Simon had his leg amputated due to diabetes, but at 66 years old he is not letting his disability or age get in the way of his ambitions.

The only wheelchair league in Europe is in Germany, and Simon currently plays for Hamburg. 

To view programme please click image

As he continues his challenge towards the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham he is taking part in tournaments in Europe and South America in the near future.

Having represented England as a 14-year-old, Simon is now coached by Adam Proszko and is looking to find a sponsor to join him on his journey.

If you would like to become a sponsor to Simon, please contact him below.

Simon Heaps
simon@simonheaps.com
www.simonheaps.com

Sports Pavilion renamed after Chris Walford

The Advertiser & Times have published an article reporting that the Milford on Sea Sports Pavilion in Barnes Lane has been renamed to The Chris Walford Pavilion, to honour the longstanding groundskeeper.

The sports pitches are used by Milford adult & girls cricket and Milford Youth FC. Chris was also chair of Milford Cricket Club for many years.

Improvement plans for the sports grounds include: new equipment, storage areas and an artificial wicket.

To read the full article; please click here. 

Photo by Advertiser & Times

Fancy an evening of Jazz?

Milford on Sea's very own Jazz club is open this Thursday. 

Only £12 on the door to get your foot tapping to the Swing Unlimited Big Band. The bar opens at 7.30pm.

Six Week Art Course for Kids

For The Love of Art was created by Rhiannon Eva to provide unique, personalised and enjoyable art tuition for adults and children at Milford on Sea Community Centre. She believes that with practice and the right knowledge, anyone can be an artist - and have fun whilst doing it!

Children's Art Course

The classes in this 6 week course take place on Saturday mornings from 11:30am to 12:30pm. There are 6 consecutive classes in the course starting on Saturday 13th November and finishing on 18th December 2021. 

The course is £72 with all materials provided. (£12 per class.)

This course is suitable for children aged between 7 to 11 years and Rhiannon uses a wide range of high quality media including watercolours, acrylic, oil pastels, chalks, mono printing equipment... and more!  

Bookings can be made by clicking here.

Adult Art Classes

These take place every Saturday morning from 10am to 11am. They are suitable for beginners and improvers and I teach watercolours and drawing skills in these sessions. 

Each class is £12.50 with all the materials provided, or a block of 3 classes is cheaper, costing £35. 

Bookings can be made by clicking here at least 24 hours in advance. *Weekly classes resume on 13th November and will run every week thereafter until 18th December. 

For The Love of Art also offer one-off workshops, 1-1 tuition, art parties covering a huge range of media including water colour paint, acrylic paint, tonal pencil, colour pencils, inks, pen, printmaking, chalk, oil pastel and sculpture.

Whether you are a child or adult, an anxious beginner or an expert, someone looking to learn a new skill or simply a way to relax, socialise or be mindful, Rhiannon would love to hear from you.

For more information; please visit: www.fortheloveofartclasses.co.uk

For the Love of Art

info@fortheloveofartclasses.co.uk

www.fortheloveofartclasses.co.uk

See Rumours next weekend

 Have you got your tickets to see Rumours yet?

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The Keeping Family of Milford on Sea

Anyone interested in the history of Milford on Sea may have seen old photos of Keeping & Son when it was based in the High Street. What is less know, is the significant story of two members of the family.

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In more recent times the car servicing garage has been known as Harfield Motor Services, until in September 2021 the business changed hands and was renamed 'The Garage', which was the original name of this part of the business in 1985.

Frederick Keeping was born on the 11th August 1867. 

In 1896 he was employed at the British Embassy in Athens and he competed in the 1896 Athens Summer Olympics despite the wishes of some fellow British residents of the Greek capital, who believed that as a servant of the British ambassador he 'was not a gentleman and therefore could not be an amateur'. 

Keeping won an Olympic Second Place Medal at the first International Olympic Games held in the Modern era. He competed in the 12 Hour Cycle Race, which started at 5am.

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The Games attracted athletes from 14 nations, with the largest delegations coming from Greece, Germany, France and Great Britain. Despite many obstacles and setbacks, the 1896 Olympics were regarded as a great success. The Games had the largest international participation of any sporting event to that date.

Only two cyclists (out of the six who started the 12 Hour Race), finished the 900 laps of the the newly built velodrome, a distance of 314 km. The race was won by Adolf Schmal of Austria.

Early in the race, Adolf Schmal, who was better known as a fencer, jumped the field and gained an early lap. He then rode with the pack until one by one the riders dropped out. At 12pm, the two remaining riders, Schmal and Keeping, took a 10 minute break. Schmal rode directly behind Keeping's wheel throughout, never allowing himself to be dropped, and won by the one lap that he had gained early in the race. Keeping made occasional bursts to regain the lost lap, but to no avail.

First place winners were awarded a silver medal, an olive branch and a diploma. Finishing in second place, Frederick was presented with a copper medal, a branch of laurel and a diploma. 

In September 2012 a 'Second Medal' from the same Olympics sold at Christie's Auction House in London for £15,000.

After returning to England, Frederick opened 'Fred. Keeping' cycle shop, which was later expanded and renamed: Keeping & Son - a Morris car garage, petrol station and cycle shop in Milford on Sea High Street. (Building was most recently occupied by Harfield Motor Services Ltd and in September 2021 new owner renamed the business to The Garage.)

Keeping & Son was founded by Fred Keeping in 1896 and Frank Keeping assumed management of the Milford on Sea business on return from the armed forces in 1921.

One of the features of the Keeping service in their early day was a Taxi Service which managed to function throughout both World Wars.

Frederick died aged 82 on 21st February 1950 (Aged 82) 

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Michael Keeping

Frederick's son, Michael Keeping (Alexander Edwin Michael Keeping) was born in Milford on Sea on 22nd August 1902. 

Michael became a professional footballer with Southampton and Fulham in the English Leagues. 

He was initially spotted playing for Milford on Sea FC and was signed by Southampton, then still in the Southern League, in the summer of 1919 for a bargain fee of £25. Still only 16, Keeping was registered as an amateur but paid 10 shillings (50p) a week for travelling expenses.

He signed as a professional in December 1920 but only made his first-team debut on 25 October 1924, in a Football League Division 2 match at Hull City as a replacement for the long-serving Fred Titmuss who was injured. In his first season he made only seven league appearances. In the following season, he again started as an understudy to Titmuss but in October he took over at left-back and retained his position, with Titmuss leaving the club in February 1926. He soon blossomed into an outstanding left-back who oozed class and being fleet of foot could turn on the run to sweep the ball straight up the touchline to the waiting winger.

In February 1926 he was selected for an international trial and joined an F.A. party on a tour of Canada in the summer.

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He continued to display his skills in the Second Division and was an ever-present for the Saints in 1926–27 both in the league and in their run to the F.A. Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on 26 March 1927, which Southampton lost 1–2 to Arsenal. During this season manager Arthur Chadwick soon settled on his favoured line-up with eleven players featuring in at least 35 of the 42 league games; Keeping lined up in defence with Ted Hough behind the three centre-backs – Bert Shelley, George Harkus and Stan Woodhouse.

He missed the start of the 1927–28 season due to illness, but was otherwise a regular starter throughout the next four seasons as Saints regularly finished in mid-table. He made a good start to the 1931–32 season and won his only representative honours when he played for the Football League against the Irish League in September 1931. He was then struck down with appendicitis in January and was out for the rest of the season.

In February 1933 Southampton needed to raise cash and they sold Keeping and Johnny Arnold to Fulham for a combined fee of £5,000, with Arthur Tilford temporarily joining the Saints, and served them well until the outbreak of World War II in 1939. Jimmy McIntyre, the former Saints manager now in charge at Fulham boasted that this was "the best deal I ever brought off". In his playing career at The Dell, Keeping made a total of 281 appearances for the Saints, scoring twelve goals.

In Holley and Chalk's "Alphabet of the Saints", Keeping is described as "a debonair man, contemporaries recall him as being equally stylish off the pitch and, much to the amusement of his team-mates, he would take hours over his appearance".

He continued to turn out occasionally for Fulham until 1941 when he returned to Milford to join the family motor business.

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From January 1948 to October 1950 Michael was the head coach/manager at Real Madrid FC, one of the biggest football clubs in the world.

Whilst managing Real Madrid he won the 1947-48 Copa Eva Duarte de Perón, beating Real Madrid 3 Valencia 1 on the 6th June 1948 in the famous Bernabeu Stadium.

To follow were spells as coach or manager in Denmark, the Netherlands with Heracles Almelo, France and North Africa. Later he took over as manager at Poole Town in the Southern League.

Michael Keeping passed away on 28th March 1984 (aged 81)

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Addendum: Following reading this article, Bob Braid of the Milford on Sea Historical Record Society got in touch and kindly sent the two further pictures below.

Fred Keeping-Courtesy of MoSHRS
Check out the numberplate!

Fred, Nell; Michael Keeping-Courtesy of MoSHRS

Magnificent transformation of The Old Mill

A new TV Series, Extraordinary Extensions on Channel 4 features the renovation of The Old Mill in Milford on Sea this Wednesday 20th October 2021 at 9pm. If you miss the programme it can be viewed in 'All 4" Catch up.

The Old Mill is Grade II-listed, dates back to the 18th-century and sits on a 4.5-acre site in Milford on Sea. 

The Old Mill along with The Miller’s House and Coach House were built c.1750. 

It is believed that The Old Mill sits on the site of a mill dating back to the Domesday Book, over a thousand years ago.

The buildings had stood empty and falling into disrepair since 2009. In 2017 Simon and Amy purchased the site and have achieved a magnificent home sensitive to its environment.

The new TV programme has a Grand Designs vibe and is presented by Tinie Tempah, musician and property developer. According to the show, the windows alone cost an astonishing £179k and the results are simply astonishing.

The Old Mill by
Georgiana or Helen Kendall

The architects for the project were Western Design Architects and you can read more and see more pictures like below by clicking here.

Pictures by Western Design Architects
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The Old Mill - Historic Pictures

60 Years of Milford on Sea Stamp Club

Milford on Sea Stamp Club is celebrating sixty years since its foundation.

The stamp club meet in the Guide Hut in Sea Road on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm from September until May.

The club members enjoy guest speakers showing their displays, or one of their members show some of their collection. 

There is a programme from the meetings the notice board outside of the Guide Hut.

New members are always welcome.

Volunteer with Milford on Sea Rainbow & Brownies

Milford on Sea Girlguiding are looking for volunteers for the Rainbows & Brownies. Applicants can be male (18+) or Female (14+).

Training and qualifications are available in leadership, first aid and safeguarding with lots of opportunities for Friendship, Adventure and Fun.

The Rainbows and Brownies have lots of fun playing games, making things and learning while earning badges, so come and join us!

Please get in touch if you or someone you know would be interested. Please click here to register your interest.

Skincare Treatments from Botanical Notes

Milford on Sea resident Ellie Whitehall runs Botanical Notes which provide skincare treatments to help you solve skincare issues, and to embrace your natural beauty and feel confident in your own skin.

Ellie is based in Tu Sei Bella at 47 High Street, Milford on Sea on Saturday mornings and Monday evenings.

She is also is currently running a Special Autumn Offer: with 75 minutes of relaxation. Available until 29th November.

This is a complete Autumn Holistic Mind, Body, Soul treatment aimed at feeling the stress and anxiety reduce as you are enveloped in the beautiful fragrance of essential oils.

The treatment includes:

• Back, neck and shoulder massage
• Back exfoliation
• Organic facial with replenishing mask
•  Eye treatment
•  Hand and arm massage
•  Scalp massage

Your treatment will end with time to just relax with a cup of herbal tea. Plus you receive a free gift worth £25. All for just £65.

To Book: Please contact Ellie by clicking here or through a Facebook message on the link below.

Botanical Notes

Facebook Page: click here.

ellie@botanicalnotes.co.uk

www.botanicalnotes.co.uk

Free Hearing Test in the village

Solent Hearing are a Local friendly independent hearing clinic and they are offering free wax checks and hearing screens at Milford on Sea Community Centre every Wednesday from 11am to 1pm. 

No booking required, this is a local drop in service.

The tests are carried out using the latest digital technology and they are able to supply the latest invisible digital hearing aids, catering for all your hearing needs.

Solent Hearing 

01590 643347 

info@solenthearing.com

www.solenthearing.com

Support MoS School at First Friday Lunch

Why not take the opportunity to support Milford on Sea Primary School and enjoy a tasty lunch, entertainment and raffle at the same time?

Friday 5th of November at Milford on Sea Community Centre. Just £6 per person and all proceeds raised on the day go to Milford on Sea Primary School.

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Ivan publishes 'Rights of Way'

Milford on Sea resident and musician, Ivan Chandler has written and published an upbeat new song entitled; Rights of Way.

The accompanying video feature local scenes and may inspire you to put on your walking shoes and get out in the fresh air.

Ivan is a keyboard player and TV & film music licensing & copyright consultant, also he is a volunteer path warden and helps to keep the rights of way and footpaths clear.

The idea for the song came to him during his first path warden training session when the term “Rights Of Way” really resonated with him.

Ivan recorded the track with help from his band, The Go Go Five, who often play in venues in Milford on Sea.

Photograph courtesy of Graham Zebedee
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Ivan hopes the song will become a walking anthem and encourage people to enjoy the local footpaths - he finds walking really is good for the soul.

Rights of Way is now available on YouTube with a fun video produced in conjunction with Film Expo South.

To see the video and listen to 'Rights of Way', please click here.

Discover Tradewinds Gallery in Milford on Sea

Tradewinds is a family run gallery here in Milford on Sea and they like to support and promote emerging and established artisans, potters, painters, jewellery makers and the like. The small gallery has an eclectic collection from Cornwall and the south coast area but also artists local to the New Forest area as we have such a lot of very talented people locally!

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Being at the far end of the High Street towards Keyhaven, they often miss the normal foot fall in the village unless people know they are there, but they are worth a visit for gifts or art pieces for friends or your own home.

Owner Gail Steggell explains; "Our gallery is full of exciting artwork by artists well known and emerging.

Tradewinds is a family run gallery featuring a wonderfully curated collection of exciting work by artists, well known and emerging. 

We bring together an eclectic collection of work from all over the UK, we try to promote artists local to the gallery; all true craftspeople who are inspired and also inspire.

We hope that you find something you love, and if there is anything we can help you with just let us know."

Tradewinds Gallery

96 High Street, Milford On Sea, SO41 0QE

01590 619180

info@tradewindsgallery.co.uk

www.tradewindsgallery.co.uk

Half Term Tennis Camp for Kids

Milford on Sea Tennis & Squash Club are running half term fun coaching sessions for children focusing on the fundamentals of tennis.

The camps are great for all levels of play and the sessions cover age groups from 5 years old up to 14 years. Limited number of spaces available.

Dates available from 25th to 27th October 2021.

For more information please contact head Coach, Dan Hitchins by clicking here.

Milford Tennis & Squash Club

Lucerne Road, Milford-on-Sea, SO41 0PL

www.milfordtennisandsquash.net

See 'United Kingdom' at Milford Movies

Thursday 21st October from 7pm to 9.30pm

A romantic true story from our dowdy postwar past told with terrific warmth and idealism, and irresistible storytelling. It’s a tale of star-crossed lovers, a bigoted British government, a story of imperialism, bulling, and Westminster functionaries passing off their taboo horror of inter-racial marrying as a matter of realism and political expediency.

All the movies and screenings in the Community Centre have 60 comfortable seats arranged cabaret style around small tables – this makes sure everyone has a good view and a place to put their drinks. Bar Open. 

Book early to avoid disappointment – sadly seats cannot be guaranteed if you just turn up on the door. 

For more information and to book seats pop along to the Box Office at the Centre in Sea Road (or telephone (01590) 644861 or visit website:

www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk.

Milford on Sea Community Centre

Sea Road, Milford on Sea, Lymington, SO41 0PH

01590 644861 - www.moscommunitycentre.org.uk

Would you like a stall at the PFA Christmas Fair?

The Milford on Sea Primary School PFA are currently in the process of organising this year's Christmas Fair, which (all being well) will go ahead on Saturday 11th December at the school from 12pm to 4pm.

If you are interested in having a stall or would like to support their raffle, please drop them a message by email at: mospspfa@outlook.com.

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Milford on Sea Primary School PFA 

www.facebook.com/PFAatMOSPS

Dine-In is back at La Perle

The La Perle team are delighted to have returned to serving customers inside the newly refurbished restaurant on Friday & Saturday evenings, and they have a delicious new Autumn Menu and Vegetarian Menu.

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In addition to this, they also offer dine-in French Thursday Lunches and their renowned Sunday Lunches.

To book your table; please click here.

Home Deliveries continue on Tuesdays to Thursdays from 5pm to 8.30pm as do Sunday Lunch deliveries, simply order online.

To see all La Perle menus - Please click here.

La Perle
60 High Street, Milford on Sea, SO41 0QD
01590 643557
info@laperle.co.uk
www.laperle.co.uk
www.facebook.com/laperlemilford

Thanks for helping the people of Afghanistan

Many thanks to the generous people of Milford on Sea!

On Saturday 2nd October (a very wet and windy day!) Christians Together and Milford Action for Refugees had a collection on Milford on Sea village green to help local people, and the people of Afghanistan, where they face a humanitarian crisis. 

An impressive fourteen crates of food and £269 was donated by local people for Basics Bank and £986 was collected for the Red Cross Afghanistan Crisis Appeal.

Afghanistan Crisis Appeal

On 16th October at Milford Baptist Church from 10am to 4pm there will be a collection of clean, good quality Winter coats and warm sweaters for people of all ages.

Any support would be gratefully received.

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Come along to Milford on Sea Folk Club

 The Milford on Sea Folk Club is on next Thursday.

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